2. Other Mom

Coraline got back to the Pink Palace and when she did, the notes had disappeared and left with the note Coraline got yesterday. Mel got it and read it:

Coraline, you're now welcome to come for a visit to my house; no one will call you Caroline for now on. Sincerely… the Other Mother.

Mel called to Coraline, 'Coraline, do you know where the Other Mother's house is and what town it's in?'

'Well it's not in a town, it's in the Other World,' said Coraline.

'What Other World, what are you talking about?' asked Mel.

'It's in the little door in our living room,' answered Coraline. 'And, oh, the Other Mother's actually called the Beldam. Come on, I'll show you.'

Coraline led her parents to the living room and showed them the little door and what was inside it. 'See what I mean?' said Coraline.

'Ok, we see what you mean, Coraline,' said Charlie 'You'll have to go inside.'

Coraline went into the tunnel and was in the other world. The living room was exactly like the time Coraline confronted the Beldam and the Beldam was exactly like when she shoved Coraline in the mirror. The Beldam stood up from the couch and said 'Coraline, my Darling, you've returned for a visit.'

This time she had the voice of the wicked witch of the west from the Wizard of Oz. 'Yeah, nice to meet you too,' said Coraline.

'Alright, I have job for you, sweetheart,' the Beldam replied. 'Now you shall call me Other Mom and the job is to give me some treats.'

Mmm, treats, Coraline thought.

'Now … give me some worms.'

Coraline was disgusted and thought it was all stupid.

'But, Other Mom.' she said. 'Worms are not treats, they're disgusting bugs.' But Beldam wouldn't listen.

'Just give me some, little girl,' said Other Mom (or Beldam, whichever you like to call her).

Coraline shook her head and said 'No!'

'Alright, then,' replied Other Mom. 'Now … give me some slugs.'

'Other Mom, you can't keep telling me to give you some bugs, insects and arachnids.'

'But you can't say no to everything,' said Other Mom. 'So maybe you won't give me slugs as well'.

She took out a box of Chocolate beetles which were called Cocobeetles and said, 'You need to try one of these chocolate beetles, young lady.'

'But…'

But Other Mom put the chocolate beetle into her mouth. Then suddenly, Coraline liked the beetle.

'Mm, Mmm!'

'I'm glad you like it Coraline,' said Other Mom.

'Yep!'

'Now … give me a real beetle,' Other Mom demanded.

Coraline still thought of those disgusting bugs.

'Alright, that's it, I'm out of here!' said Coraline.

She walked all the way to the door. But before she could get out of the other world, the door closed by itself and it was locked.

Other Mom called out, 'So you think you could escape from old Other Mom, do you!'

But Coraline still had the key in her pocket. She took it out, put the key into the keyhole on the door. But as she did, the hole sucked the key and Coraline knew it gave it to Other Mom; which she's actually called the Beldam.

'Darling, come here,' said Other Mom.

Coraline came back to her and when she did, Other Mom said, 'Let me tell you my secrets.'

The Beldam whispered into Coraline's ear and told her scary secrets. That was the most frightening thing in her life.

'Now, this time, Coraline,' Other Mom said, 'you must give me some bugs, insects and arachnids.' Then she went on, 'Now … give me some ants.'

Coraline still wouldn't do it.

'Ew, Oh Pooey - Yucky!'

Other Mom got cross at Coraline as she said that. She stood up angrily and yelled 'I won't tolerate that kind of talk from you, little girl. Looks like you'll need some obedience training. I should have thought of this earlier. Let's see how you behave after a little time to yourself!'

I remember where she is going to put me, thought Coraline. And wait a minute, I have a plan.